Id say that most of the perceived criticism, comes from an honest place. Its just that u2 set the bar so high in the past and many many fans feel the band under deliver these days. While i can appreciate and enjoy most of what u2 puts out (id say about 95% of it I happily listen to) for me, there is definitely a very clear drop in quality of material this past 20 years. In the 80s and 90s, u2 sounded like nobody else. Now, I cant say that with the same belief
BUT, nothing last forever. I do think many fans are too demanding of the band and in my world...it is healthy to not blindly follow anything. It is healthy to be able to question things.